The Aledan PSION: The Aledan Series Book 1

by Myers, Christine

  "Theron's the problem, right now. He's given me nothing but trouble since you assigned us to work together. He refuses to work with me, and he ruins the work I do by myself. Usually, I can only complete successful experiments when he's not around," she explained. "I've only stuck it out this long to get my Level Three certification. Hankura and I will probably leave Aledus soon."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. I believe you could finish Level Four in another six months. Of course, I know your husband has played a part in your rapid progress, but in any event, you have learned the required material. Sensors show you haven't had any telepathic assistance on exams."

  "Hankura wouldn't do that . . . and I wouldn't ask him to."

  "Judging from his careful evaluation of your work, I'm sure that's the truth." The older man grinned slightly. "It's a good report, but I rather expected he would be more lenient with you."

  "Not professionally." Chelle smiled warmly, flicking her eyes over his plain features. "His report was honest. I still have a lot to learn, but our close rapport has helped overcome my lack of knowledge. Admittedly, I have learned as much from Hankura as I have from you. Not without effort, however, as my fellow students seem to think. Hankura has spent a lot of time teaching me the most basic concepts to me---things that the other students have learned when they were children---because I was never formally educated. He even taught me to read."

  "And quite well, too, obviously, considering your accomplishments. I have the utmost respect for Hankura," he told her. "Since you've done so well on the regular evaluations, I'll recommend you for certification exams. You will have to repeat the bone grafting procedure and complete this last experiment before the examination."

  "I will. Thank you, sir . . . One thing--can I work alone?"

  He nodded with a thin, understanding smile. "Under the circumstances, I don't think that's an unreasonable request. Up until now, I hadn't suspected the problems you've had here. I'm sorry if I've been unfair to you."

  "Thank you, Instructor. I know you never meant to be. Trying to be fair to everyone in a place like this isn't easy."

  As she got up to leave, he nodded his dismissal. "I---" she began, then her face contorted in anguish. "Oh, my darling!" she whispered.

  "Chelle, you've gone pale. What's wrong?" Marcus demanded with genuine concern.

  "I--It's Hankura. His patient just died. He's taking it hard." Tears in her eyes began to blur her vision. "He's was fond of Davonne" Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  "Patients die. We all have to accept that in this profession," Marcus told her stiffly. "He can't grieve for all of them, or he'll become an emotional cripple."

  "But Davonne was murdered--only because he was a psion like we are. The whole of Aledus should mourn his death."

  She ran out of the study. Pulling a tissue from the pouch on her belt, she attempted to wipe away her tears.

  "What's wrong? Marcus give you hell again?" Theron sneered in his usual mocking tone when she finally shuffled into the lab cell. The door slid closed automatically behind her.

  "What do you care if he did?" She blew her nose again and tossed the tissue into the refuse tube. "It gives you a thrill to think he did. After all, I'm only a damned minder."

  "Ah, but a sexy one." He came closer, leering at her. His vivid fantasy was beginning to annoy her.

  "Get away from me," she muttered and pushed past him to recheck her fertilized gresar ova in the small nurturing tank. They were floating in a clear fluid, gray and lifeless. "You killed them. Theron, you son of a dog! They should have been a centimeter long by now. Even a stupid Terran minder wouldn't have put buffered fixative into the nurturing tank!"

  "So what?" He smirked. He was enjoying her distress.

  "Get out. Just get out of here. We're not partners anymore. Instructor Marcus said I could work alone now." She turned and shoved him toward the door, but he didn't go far.

  "Hankura was right about all of you--" She jerked the circulation tube from the nurturing tank and emptied it into the sink, shoving the small tank into the autoclave. Then she turned on Theron fiercely. "I wouldn't listen. I couldn't let any of you stop me from being a Tech. You could be a fine Tech, but you haven't the motivation to do anything but entertain yourself at my expense. I pity any patient you ever care for---if you ever complete the course. No more effort than you put forth, I doubt you ever will!"

  Her frustration compounded with Hankura's grief made it hard to keep tears from filling her eyes again. She turned away from Theron. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry again. She took out another vial of gresar ova and began the experiment again, trying to ignore Theron completely.

  "I told you, it would be easier for me to concentrate if you weren't so damned cold." He moved behind her just short of touching her as she tried to extract some of the ova from the vial with a synthetic pipette. "Every time I see you, I can't help wondering how it would feel to hold you in my arms . . .." He drew a strand of her hair through his fingers, contemplating his fantasy of coupling with her.

  "Go away, Theron!" She pushed him away. "I know what you're thinking. It makes my skin crawl. Get away from me."

  Chelle lowered the vial and straightened. She sensed his sudden hurt and growing anger.

  He gripped her arms and swung her around. "Not this time, minder." He knocked the pipette and test tube away and pulled her into a crushing embrace. He grabbed a handful of her thick hair and yanked her head back. "I'm tired of your games," he hissed and ground his mouth against hers in a brutal kiss.

  Shocked by his attack, Chelle hesitated before she began to fight back. She tore her mouth from his and pushed at his face with one hand while struggling to free herself. She gouged him in the chest with her elbow and jammed her knee into his thigh, aiming for his groin. Breaking his hold, she punched him twice, but he was skilled in chackrin--more skilled than she.

  He slapped her in the face and threw her against the metal cabinet across the tiny cell. Her head hit the door hard and left her dazed as he slammed her against the door a second time, then pressed her body against the cold metal with his own.

  "Too bad it has to be this way. I could make it pleasurable if you'd let me." He twisted her arms behind her and tugged at the zipper clasp on the front of her coverall. Clamping his free hand over her breast, he forced her to endure another brutal kiss.

  Chelle groaned in distaste and jerked one arm free. She drove the heel of her hand into his chin, struggling to free her other hand from his iron grip. Theron pulled back his fist to punch her in the stomach, and Chelle tensed her muscles, anticipating the blow. The punch never landed. Theron was yanked away in one jerk. Theron whirled to face his attacker. Hankura slammed his open hand into Theron's face so hard that he fell on his back, his nose bloodied. Utterly furious, Hankura seized the front of his shirt and hauled him to his feet. He slammed Theron against the metal cabinets several times, thumping the man's head hard against the doors each time.

  Even though Theron and Hankura were quite evenly matched in size and weight, Theron regarded Hankura with raw terror. He knew Hankura was a top rank expert in chackrin as well as a high-level Psion who could kill him with a thought---and the physician seemed mad enough to do it.

  Knowing Theron's fear only tempered Hankura's rage a little, enough so he could regain control of himself.

  "If you ever . . . touch her again," Hankura spat, "I'll break so many of your bones; you'll need three physicians to put you back together again."

  Then, Hankura slammed him against the cabinet again and shoved him to the floor. Still seething with anger, he gripped Chelle's arm roughly and dragged her out of the lab cell.

  How did you let him get so far? You knew what was on his mind! He pulled her down the corridor while she struggled to zip her coverall up as they went.

  Yeah--him and ten others! You know damn well, I was too worried about you and my lab experiment to pay much attention to his disgusting fantasy. Chelle planted her feet and s
topped abruptly, jerking her arm from his grip. Look at me! Is this what a woman wears to invite that kind of attention?

  She was dressed in a drab khaki coverall that bagged on her everywhere. It was a near duplicate of several others in equally drab colors that she wore to disguise her attractive figure.

  Hank, I didn't realize he meant to do more than taunt me as usual until he attacked me. I can't shrink from every man who looks at me with sex on his mind. Most of it is just harmless fantasy. It doesn't mean anything.

  Oblivious to passers-by in the long corridor, Hankura all but snarled, jerking his head to one side and averting his eyes from hers. You're mine--we are pledged! Have you taken these insults so long that you can accept them? Do you relish being treated as the lowest form of life on Aledus?

  I sure as hell don't! I'm sick to death of this whole damned place. It's never going to change as much as it will change us if we stay here.

  Hankura let out an exasperated breath and took her arm more gently. He guided her down the corridor and out of the building.

  All I wanted to do was learn to be a good healer so that I could work with you. There's so much I can learn here--so much more than I ever dreamed possible . . ..

  But at what price? He was going to rape you! He might have killed you! You're far too precious to me. I won't let them hurt you like they hurt Kaara. I can't let you go back there.

  "Hank, I have to," she finally said. "I'm so close to Tech Three . . . only a few more days . . .."

  "No, not here, Chelle. Medicine is part of what we are. But, if Theron doesn't try again, someone else will. There will always be someone else. I won't have you brought to me like Davonne I'm afraid for you--terrified of what I would be without you. We'll find you another program."

  Chelle nodded grimly. Knowing she would be as lost without him as he would be without her, she couldn't argue. Suddenly she began to tremble.

  "God, I haven't been so scared in a very long time," she said shakily. "I just couldn't believe he would hurt me; I didn't see it coming until it was too late. He's teased me so many times. I've gotten pretty soft here on Aledus, and he got control before I could stop him." Another shudder passed through her. "God, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come. I should have expected--I should have fought better . . .."

  "But I was there, Chelle." Hankura soothed as they stepped off the belt and into the subway. "You knew I would come. I couldn't let him hurt you. I knew your fear, and I was afraid, too."

  A few minutes later they emerged from the subway terminal and crossed the hoverport to their air wedge, both deep in thought. There was no question that they could cope with the problems facing them. They could survive on Aledus. But wasn't there more to life than just survival? Wasn't there?

  "Yes!" they murmured in unison as their craft lifted off.

  "So what do we do now?" Chelle asked.

  Hankura shrugged. "Go home and try to figure it out, I guess. Home. Ha! Where is that for us?"

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  "Do you want to key-in something on the processor?" Chelle asked while she unzipped her coverall. She took it off and put it down the cleaning chute, then took out a wispy blue gown.

  "I don't feel much like eating," Hankura said and stroked her bare shoulder as she fastened the single strap of the dress over her other shoulder. "How about a drink?"

  "Sure. I'm not really hungry, either." She finished straightening the garment. Hankura crossed the room to press for the autocart which would bring them potent glasses of carava in their bed chamber. She sensed that he was still upset about Davonne, and with her. Further, he blamed both Theron and her for what had happened, and he was angry with himself all at the same time.

  Chelle moved to his side. She understood his anger and shared in it just as she shared part of the blame. But she needed to feel his love and understanding. She needed reassurance.

  Hankura's anger waned as sensed her emotions, and he turned, slipping his arms around her and cuddling her close. She-ell, my she-ell. I couldn't blame anyone for wanting you. You are beautiful even in those hideous things you wore to the University. He had no right to force you when he knew you didn't want him. Thank Goddess, you were not hurt badly. I have never been so angry. I wanted to kill him. I really wanted to kill him.

  Feeling his rage, Chelle started to pull away. No more than I did. But I'm not to blame, and I won't accept blame from you. I became a citizen of this world because you wanted to come here, and as a citizen, I had the right to learn at the University. Theron is the one to blame. I never offered what he tried to take from me.

  I know, she-ell. I should have taught you to fight better. His kind is everywhere on Aledus. I'm glad you didn't attack him with your mind, even though he deserved it. You would go to jail.

  Chelle nodded grimly, then shook her head. Aledus is an outwardly beautiful world, but what you can't see with your eyes is ugly and hurtful, to us and all of our kind.

  That's why we can't stay here. I think we should make plans to go to Belderon. It's close, and you can finish your training. Then we can decide whether to stay in-system or go elsewhere. We have to be free. We can't live like this anymore.

  Chelle looked into his eyes. My love, I was glad to come here for you, but I've looked forward to the time when you'd be ready to leave so we could be free to follow our dreams.

  Hankura nodded, contemplating the softness of her lips. She had endured so much to give him what he needed. He wanted to hold her and touch her, to be enveloped in the strength of her love. She could make him forget the death and the fear of the past few hours, and he wanted to make her forget everything but his love for her.

  "I thought you wanted a drink." Chelle laughed softly near his ear and kissed his neck.

  "You know what I want." He drew back, and she turned up her mouth for his kiss. He was about to steer her to the bed when the telecom bleeped urgently from the comcell in the next room.

  Chelle sighed ruefully. He released her with a muttered curse, and she followed him out of the bed chamber into the comcell.

  "Whoever it is could have picked a better time," he complained and jammed his thumb against the switch that would pull in the indicated channel. A slow spread over his face as the image of a platinum haired man filled the screen. "Casir, you old nache! Mother, it's good to see you. You could have commed sooner."

  "I figured it was about time. I've been out of the main sectors, building starports and settlements in the outlying colonies."

  "So---to what do I owe this honor?" Hankura asked.

  "I'm on my way to Belderon to meet Jana and Delara. I was going to drop down to Aledus, but they won't give me plastic even for a limited visa."

  "Yeah, well---it's worse to live here," Hankura said.

  Casir nodded and continued, "Then, I got to thinking that Belderon would only be a week jump in the Mran. Jana and Delara would love to see you; we're all eager to meet your psi-mate." He paused. "I trust you found her well."

  "I did, and we're life-mated."

  Casir grinned. "I suspected as much. Is she there with you?"

  "Yes." Hankura turned to Chelle. "Come let Casir see you, love."

  Chelle hesitated because the revealing gown she wore left little to a man's imagination. If Casir looked too interested in her body, Hankura would be angry again.

  "It's all right," the Aledan assured her. "Casir is half civilized---not like these lechers here." She came and stood beside Hankura in front of the view screen and smiled demurely at Casir when they were introduced.

  "You are very lovely. Yours are the bluest eyes I have ever seen. I'm pleased to meet you, Chelle." Casir looked at her with frank admiration and friendly interest--nothing more. "I'm happy for you both, my friend," he said to Hankura. "How was your journey?"

  Hankura shrugged. "Aside from the fact that I nearly got myself killed, it was fine."

  "I was afraid of there would be trouble. I'm glad you're okay. I can't wait to hear all about i
t."

  "How soon do you expect to touch down on Belderon, and where?"

  "Sometime this month. We're taking a large flat in Tesen for a while. Shall I reserve one for you and Chelle?"

  After a moment's silent conference, Hankura said, "We'd appreciate it. I'll give my print when we arrive."

  "Fantastic! It'll be good to see you again in person." Casir looked delighted, wistful and excited all at the same time. "See you soon." He signed off with a wave of his hand.

  "Right." Hankura nodded as the screen went dark.

  "Maybe his timing wasn't so bad after all." Chelle slid her arms around his waist. "You're in a much better mood now. Shall we begin where we were interrupted---or have you changed your mind?" She pressed closer, her face very close to his.

  "What kind of question is that?" He pressed his mouth to hers and folded her into his arms. You feel so good, my love. Slowly he trailed butterfly kisses along her jaw line, and down over her throat toward the creamy swell of her breast. He pushed away the fabric of her gown and went suddenly still as he saw the bruises Theron had imprinted on her flesh. The bastard had no right. Theron's lucky, I didn't kill him.

  And so are we, love. Don't think about it. I can heal those easily. Just love me, and let me love you.

  "Yes," he whispered and lifted her into his arms. They were nearly to their bed when the telecom bleeped again. "Oh, sludge!" he groaned. "Next time, it goes on auto." He let her down, and she fastened her dress over her shoulder again.

  Hankura opened another channel, and the image of the all but forgotten Captain Beras appeared on the screen.

  "Hello, Hankura. How's life on Aledus?"

  "Not especially great. What can I do for you?"

  "It depends. Have you decided to pull out yet?"

  "Just now, we did. We're going to Belderon for a while. Why do you ask?"

  "I need a chief medical officer, and I want you," Beras told him, coming straight to the point. "Mine is due to retire in a few months. A man named Gray just printed his contract and mentioned you might be available. Interested?"